Anderson Gallery to Host Exhibition of China's Sacred Sites

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo Anderson Gallery will present "China's Sacred Sites: Architecture of Heaven and Earth," an exhibition organized by the UB School of Architecture and Planning and the Asian Studies Program. This exhibition will present photographs taken by John Valentino while traveling with architect Beverly Foit-Albert and Chinese professor Nan Shunxun to research historical sites in the People's Republic of China.

The journey was made possible by UB's designation of Beverly Foit-Albert as "Chinese Exchange Scholar" in 1989 and 1995 and by a grant from the American Philosophical Society.

In conjunction with "China's Sacred Sites" Shunxun will present a lecture on April 11 at 5:30 p.m. in 301 Crosby Hall on UB's South (Main Street) Campus. Shunxun will take participants on a journey to these sites, revealing how their philosophical tenets contain lessons for those involved in the design and appreciation of buildings.

"China's Sacred Sites" celebrates basic theories of Buddhist and Taoist systems in China's culture. The Taoists believe that famous mountains are places where the immortals dwell. Buddhists believe mountains to be unique sites, quiet and unworldly, and thereby ideal places to construct temples and practice meditation. Some buildings are remote and mysterious, others are much visited and celebrated; some are cherished while others are threatened.

The exhibition will be on view from March 31 to April 15. UB Anderson Gallery, located on Martha Jackson Place near Englewood and Kenmore, is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. The gallery is free and open to the public.

         The lecture and exhibition, both collaborations between the School of Architecture and Planning and the Asian Studies Program at UB, have been made possible with the generous support of Foit-Albert Associates, Architecture, Engineering and Surveying, P.C.  

UB Anderson Gallery is supported with funds from the Office of the Provost, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Anderson Gallery Program Fund and the UB Collection Care and Management Endowment Fund.